HSE reports 20.5% decrease in sepsis-associated hospital deaths in the last four years

The HSE has confirmed that the number of sepsis-associated hospital deaths has fallen by more than 20% over the past four years.

It comes as Minister for Health Simon Harris launched the HSE 2017 National Sepsis Report at Dublin Castle today.

Speaking at the HSE 5th National Sepsis Summit in Dublin Castle, Dr Vida Hamilton, outgoing HSE National Clinical Lead for Sepsis, and current National Clinical Advisor and Programme Lead for Acute Hospitals in the HSE, stressed the importance of publishing an annual report to show the pattern of sepsis incidence in Ireland.

“Such research informs us on the characteristics of individuals who are at increased risk both of developing sepsis and of dying from sepsis.

This allows us to have heightened vigilance for sepsis amongst these individuals and provides evidence to support the use of preventative strategies, such as vaccination, in these at risk people.

Dr Hamilton acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the staff caring for sick people in our acute hospital sector and recognition must be given to the improvements that they have achieved through their willingness to engage in this quality improvement programme.

Dr Martina Healy, incoming HSE National Sepsis Clinical Lead shared her vision for the National Sepsis Programme stating how delighted she was to be part of a proven, successful team and how she was looking forward to leading to build on this success.

Launching the report, Minister Harris said:

"One of my Department’s priorities is to improve patient safety, and tackling sepsis is an important part of this agenda.

This report shows that Ireland’s sepsis associated hospital adult mortality rate is now 18.4%, and this figure benchmarks very well internationally.

"This is a significant achievement, and for staff, shows very clearly their ongoing commitment to their patients.

The Community Sepsis Awareness Campaign was recently launched at the National Ploughing Championships to raise awareness of sepsis in the community and help people to become aware that sepsis can affect any person of any age.

There were 16,312 cases of sepsis documented in adult inpatients in 2017, with an in-hospital mortality of 18.4%, representing a 3% decrease in mortality since 2016.

Overall, there were 18,411 cases documented between, adults, maternity and paediatrics, including SIRS of infectious origin, sepsis and septic shock and their mortality rate was 16.8%.

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, acknowledged the improvements in sepsis recognition and the obvious benefits achieved as a result.

He said: “We are very grateful to Ciaran Whelan, Former GAA Dublin Footballer, and Katie Marie O’ Shea who shared their personal insights into the treatment and hardships of sepsis from a patient perspective at today’s summit.

It takes great courage to speak of personal experiences to a large audience and it is done in the spirit of improving future patient experience in terms of person-centred care and along with the rest of the program evidence-based care.